Rio Grande School (Top Ranked Private School for 2026-27)

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Quick Facts (2026-27)

Top Ranked NM School
Grades: Prekindergarten-6
Enrollment: 165 students
Yearly Tuition: $23,100
Acceptance rate: 75%
Average class size: 18 students
Application Deadline: Jan. 15 / May. 30 / rolling
Source: ✓Verified school update

School Rankings

Rio Grande School ranks among the top 20% of private schools in New Mexico for:

School Facts

School Membership(s)School Assoc.

National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS)
Independent Schools Association of the South West (ISAS)

Religious Affiliation

Nonsectarian

Grades Offered

Grades Prekindergarten-6

Students By Grade

View Data

Distribution of Students By Grade
Grade	Rio Grande School
Nursery	16
Pre-K	18
Kind	18
1	20
2	20
3	20
4	20
5	19
6	14

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Year Founded

1978

Summer School Offered

Yes

Summer Program Details

View Summer Program Details

School Calendar

View School Calendar

Student Body

Total Students

165 students

Student Body Type

Co-ed

% Students of Color

20%

State avg.: 51%

Academics & Faculty

Total Classroom Teachers

18 teachers

Student-Teacher Ratio

9:1

National avg.: 11:1

% Faculty w/Advanced Degree

75%

Average Class Size

18 students

Classroom Dress Code

Casual

Tuition & Acceptance Rate

Admission Deadline

Jan. 15 / May. 30 / rolling

Yearly Tuition Cost

$23,100

View national tuition avg.

% on Financial Aid

30%

Acceptance Rate

75%

National avg.: 82%

Admissions Director

Alexandra Castillo

Application URL

Online Application

Endowment Size

$7 million

Sports

Total Sports Offered

6 sports

Sports

ArcheryBasketball

Cross CountryCross Fit

SwimmingTrack and Field

Extracurriculars

Total ExtracurricularsTotal Extra-curric.

2 extracurriculars

ExtracurricularsExtra-curric.

Club or Organization:

ChessImprov

School Notes

Rio Grande School's mission is to challenge each child's intellect, to inspire each child's imagination, and to nurture each child's desire to learn.
Rio Grande School's families come from all over the nation as well as New Mexico.
We welcome interested families to contact the school for a tour.

School Motto: Challenge intellect, inspire imagination, nurture desire to learn

Rio Grande School's mission is to challenge each child's intellect, to inspire each child's imagination, and to nurture each child's desire to learn. Rio Grande School's families come from all over the nation as well as New Mexico. We welcome interested families to contact the school for a tour.

Source: Verified school update

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Frequently Asked Questions

How much does Rio Grande School cost?

Rio Grande School's tuition is approximately $23,100 for private students.

What is the acceptance rate of Rio Grande School?

The acceptance rate of Rio Grande School is 75%, which is lower than the national average of 84%. Rio Grande School's acceptance rate is ranked among the top private schools in New Mexico with low acceptance rates.

Does Rio Grande School offer a summer program?

Yes, Rio Grande School offers a summer program. Visit their summer school page for more information.

What sports does Rio Grande School offer?

Rio Grande School offers 6 interscholastic sports: Archery, Basketball, Cross Country, Cross Fit, Swimming and Track and Field.

What is Rio Grande School's ranking?

Rio Grande School ranks among the top 20% of private schools in New Mexico for: Lowest average acceptance rates.

When is the application deadline for Rio Grande School?

The application deadline for Rio Grande School is Jan. 15 / May. 30 / rolling (applications are due on Jan. 15 / May. 30 but additional applications are reviewed year-round as space permits ).

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Did You Know?

The average private school tuition in Santa Fe, NM is $14,337 for elementary schools (read more about average private school tuition across the country).

The average acceptance rate in Santa Fe, NM is 88% (read more about average acceptance rates across the country).